DUNEDIN, CUTS ADRIFT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17177, 22 October 1923, Page 8

DUNEDIN, CUTS ADRIFT.

THE EXHIBITION SUBSIDY. Ilhe withdrawal of the Dunedin Alanufacturers’ Association from the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand, tlie headquarters of which this year is located in Auckland, has caused no surprise in local industrial circles (says the “ New Zealand Herald”). It was only in November last that the Dunedin body rejoined the corporation after a defection extending over eighteen months, but several sharp issues have been raised between Dunedin and the rest of the Dominion since then, the chief being over the question of a Government subsidy to assist the exhibition the jieople of Dunedin are promoting. The history of the matter was outlined by Mr J. A. C. Alluni, Auckland and New Zealand president. 'l'lie conference held in February, he said, supported the proposal -for the holding of an exhibition m Dunedin upon a definite assurance being given by an Otago deputation, headed bv the Mayor, that it would be Imperial and not international in character. Later the position became uncertain as to the scope ot the exhibition, but a recommendation by the directors of the exhibition company to the shareholders in favour of it being international left no doubt as to the Dunedin aims. -Mr Allum called a conference of the four presidents in August. Dunedin being notified that one of tlie principal subjects for discussion would be the proposed exhibition. Dune-din. however, did not send a i epi esentalive. AVlieti the Auckland and Christchurch representatives were about to leave AVellington. where the conference had taken place, information was received that a Dunedin deputation was on its way to AVellington to ask the Government for a £ for £ subsidy up to £100,OCX) for the exhibition. The Auckland, AVellington, and Christ cl.u icb presidents were unanimously of opinion that the application must he opposed in view of the opposition displayed at the general conference held in February to>an ’international aff air. Accordingly they waited upon the Prime Minister and placed their views before him, taking care to explain that they s*oke only for their respective associations. This action was subsequently confirmed by tho three asso-

the duty on bottles. Another issue was raised hy Dunedin over the proposal to impose a Customs duty on.glass bottles to proA’kle a measure of protection to the bottle industry that had been established in Auckland. The chief object of the industrial associations being to encourage local industries, those of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. having been convinced that a measure of protection was necessary, supported the application. At the last minute Dunedin opposed it, supporting the. strong representations of interested importers and bottle users. ‘‘The purpose of the industrial associations is to encourage local industry,” said Air Allum, (i but we realise, ot course, that we cannot supply the needs of New Zealand, and that we must always expect competition. That being so we want this competition from the countries of the Empire. That is why the Auckland. Wellington, and Christchurch bodies were more than ready to support Dunedin in regard to an Imperial exhibition. But they do not want an Imperial exhibition. Instead they want to attract exhibits from all parts of tlie world. This would give an impetus to foreign trade. Accordingly we oppose the granting of a Government subsidy. I would like to make it clear that wo arc not trying to dictate to /Dunedin. If tlie manufacturers want to widen the scope of their exhibition and so enable foreign manufacturers to advertises their whres in the Dominion no one can say them nay. hut it surely is within the rights of other bodies to oppose the Government assisting them to do so by making a very substantial subsidy. Already the Government has offered a subsidy of £25,000. but Dunedin wants four times that amount. It might lie mentioned that the Auckland exhibition was promoted and financed entirely by the people of Auckland, who did not receive a penny piece from the Government. “ It does seem a little strange that while our Prime Minister is preaching the gospel of trade within the Empire in London discoid should be arising here among manufacturers through the action of ojio section of them wanting to invite foreign countries to display their wares at an exhibition.

“ ODD MAN OUT.” “ I regret that the Dunedin association should withdraw from the New Zealand body when sound progress is being made, and that there is every promise of much greater accomplishment in the near future, but if Dunedin is determined to be the ‘odd man out * we cannot prevent it. In any organisation the majority must prevail. otherwise all effort is merely a beating of the air.” The former withdrawal of'the Dunedin body from the corporation followed a proposal to initiate a vigorous forward movement which involved tin? establishment of a secretary in Wellington. where he would be in constant touch with the Department of Industries and Commerce. Since its reinstatement it has not evinced iTiuch interest in anv question not directly affecting Dunedin. This fact was point-

ed out in a letter forwarded by the New Zealand secretary. Air- J. Finlay, when advice was received that the matter of withdrawal was to be considered. He ©stated that when the Dunedin association rejoined. the other three associations immediately recommenced the practice of sending copies of the. minutes of their monthly meetings, but Dunedin did not leciprocate. and the result was that while Dunedin was kept fullv conversant with all matters dealt with, the other centres had no knowledge of what was being done in the southern centre. “ COMMERCIALLY “ STCK.’ ” “ Dunedin yet has to learn that nnity. ; is strength.” said a. manufacturer, who holds no office in the association. “As far as I can gather, the association in that town will never send a representative to a conference with power to act. Where that sort of tiling goes on driving force is lost. Unless an organisation can trust a representative to exercise his vote in its best interests, it had better not send him. If individuals are constantly bickering and endeavouring to impose their particular views upon a body to which they belong, no progress can Tie made. I am glad to say that this class of narrowness is not often inlet with in Auckland. All classes of organisations elect men they are prepared to trust to lead them, and they arc ready to- endorse their actions when they use their discretion. “ In comparison with the other cities, and particularly with Auckland.” continued the speaker. “ Dunedin i* becoming commercially ‘sick.’ and the symptoms of ill health are npaprent

in the impatience of the manufacturers. I should say that sheer jealousy is behind the tantrums of their manufacturers. It is a poor sort of tiling to make a habit of trailing one’s coat ” DUNEDIN’S ANSWER. COR PO R A LTON < I RITICISEI>. (From Our Correspondent.) DUNEDIN. October 21. Air- W. E. C. Reid, secretary of the Dunedin Manufacture! s’ Association, has drafted a lengthy letter to the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand to explain the reasons which caused the local association to cancel its affiliation with the governing body. The letter states inter alia that the vital points involved between the local Association and the Industrial Corportion were not merely the question of the scope of the Dunedin exhibition. or of the dutv on bottles, hut the whole principle of the corporation possessing the power to speak for the whole of the manufacturers of tlie Dominion and exercising that power, when in the opinion of the Dunedin Association it was in no way organised to ascertain the actual views of manufacturers. The corporation is criticised for its failure to handle the tariff revision efficiently, and the opinion is expressed that the interests of manufacturers can he adequately and effectively safeguarded by a well-organised manufacturers association in each centre with unformity of action where considered necessary. Reference is made to the action of the three presidents of the northern associations in waiting on the Prime Minister to protest against a subsidy being given to the Dunedin exhibition, and the statement is made that no explanation has been offered to the oca I association why the three presidents saw lit to introduce themselves to the Prime Minister, as representing the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand. The negotiations between the four associations in connection with the duty on glass bottles are dealt with at length, and the manner in which the local association was left in the dark as regards the corporation’s intentions are adversely criticised. The letter concludes:—“ If the other throe associations can devise ways and means of reorganising the corporation and making it an actual fact what hitherto it lias in our opinion, been only in name, then we hope to I>e among the first to offer our congratulations. ”